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The expedition returns with even less fanfare than when it departed. With nothing to show for his efforts, Thedrassus spends only a brief time marshalling supplies and seeing to the training of the latest militia before setting out with his men again.

Some of the people take the expedition's lack of findings as a sign that the wilderness is just as barren as had been thought; others argue that the explorers simply need to be able to venture further afield and look to the timely development of horse-drawn vehicles as a possible aid. With research proceeding at a good pace Amnarchis allows himself to be persuaded to direct research toward further improvements along these lines, believing that better transportation may make life easier in and around the city as well.

Preparations for the unprecedented expedition proceed apace. Non-perishable food is stockpiled and valuable trading goods are gathered to deal with peaceful outsiders. Troops are gathered and trained with newly forged weapons to deal with less peaceful outsiders. Thedrassus opts to equip his fledgling infantry command with lightweight leather armor for mobility rather than waiting on the workshops to produce heavier metal armor.

Finally, at last all stands in readiness. It is a day of solemn occasion; most of the city is keenly interested in the band of troops about to venture into the unknown, although there is little in the way of displays of excitement or celebration. The sight of the supply train gathering provisions by the market square is the closest thing to a ceremony the expedition receives, but manages to attract a fair amount of quiet attention nonetheless. Thedrassus makes the most of the opportunity by forming up into rank and column for a final march out through the city gates, displaying an uncommon amount of showmanship with this impromptu almost-parade.

Amnarchis watches the procession from the stairs of the hilltop New Library with some regret before returning to work; the sight of all the manpower and resources that went into the expedition simply march out of the city gates is not a particularly pleasant one for the Patriarch, especially with research progress at a stall. The mills now dotting the city's surrounding were doing an excellent job keeping the city fed and warehouses well-stocked, but with the population still slowly growing it was unclear how much longer their output would be able to keep up, especially as ongoing construction projects continue to tie up manpower in spite of the efforts of the magical workshop.

With Ramades unavailable to lend his practical engineering expertise, the Patriarch found himself relying more and more on his former pupil Mesthones and his work on animation. If mundane machinery failed to provide any further progress, perhaps a more magical approach could supply a way.

Amnarchis looked up from his work at the sound of approaching footsteps and sighed. A soldier stood in the doorway, dressed in full military gear. The Patriarch recognized the younger man as Thedrassus, a guard officer who had been attracting increasing amounts of influence within the militia, many of whom were calling on him to assume the position of commander general.

"Congratulations on your promotion, 'General.'"

"It is well that you recognize my de facto status, Patriarch. I have come to discuss the expedition that I am planning to mount."

Amnarchis rubbed his eyes wearily; he was getting too old for this. Research efforts weren't progressing as quickly as he would have liked, and for once he found himself missing Ramades and his hard-headed practicality. Unfortunately the engineer was too busy with his new and improved mining schemes. "I must tell you that I was not looking forward to this. I will not stop you, though."

"The Patriarch is wise, seeing as he technically has neither the authority nor the means to stop us."

"Do not patronize me, General. You have considerable pull within the guards, I know this, but you still need resources to supply your expedition. Which, if I guess your intent, is what you have come here for." Thedrassus inclined his head, acknowledging the mark. "Very well; I suppose the people expect it. It will take some time to make preparations, though. I trust you are not leaving immediately?"

"Of course not; you are not the only one among us with any foresight. Not only do we need food and equipment, I must raise new companies for the militia--I do not propose to leave the city defenseless, Patriarch."

"Good. I will see to it that whatever resources you require will be put at your disposal. Good day, General."

Thedrassus bowed briefly and strode out the door; the Asykos were never ones to stand on pleasantries or ceremony. Amnarchis had to admit that he almost looked forward to this new task as a change of pace, although he had noticed among the people an unseemly anticipation for the prospect of such a martial exercise. He sighed again and went back to work.

But they will be six soulless automatons instead of colorful ethnic stereotypes! Besides, JA2 just isn't the same without someone to inform you when things are groovy.

Maybe turn deadlines could be tightened up a bit (outside of extenuating circumstances)? 3-5 days max would probably help discourage procrastination. (Well, it would discourage it from me, anyhow.)

Banned for violation of the Non-Jim-Carrey Anti-Discrimination Act of 1998.

The atmosphere in Antemnon grows tense. The city had always played host to a dizzying array of conflicting ideas and theories, but the levelheaded Asykos had always been willing to push aside their many philosophical difference in deference to more practical matters. With the streets becoming more and more crowded, however, they find their patience wearing thin. A cold silence greets Amnarchis whenever he walks about; each year seems to see more and more labors toiling to feed a smaller and smaller group of elect researchers, in direct contrast to the bright new future the Patriarch had promised the New Library would bring.

The troubles seem to be coming to a head over one thing more than anything else: gold. With more and more of the limited gold supply going into magical construction and research it becomes scarcer and scarcer in circulation. Parchment, clay tablets, and other tokens start seeing use as stand-ins for the now-rare gold coins that once flowed freely, straining the trust of even the most open-minded among them.

Even the small bits of gold still in use begin to dwindle as independent researchers put it to personal use in their own magical experiments--a worrying trend, given how many of these same sages participated in developing animated weaponry. Unsurprisingly, Arbelos and the other military artisans are getting ample use out of the new forges, working on constructing armor reinforced with iron plates. The ever-increasing military focus fails to reassure some among the Asykos, however; among the city's relatively well-educated working classes discussion begins to spread about the possibility of military oppression.

"Day after day, month after month we toil to build weapons and fortifications to repel an enemy we have not seen in years. Where are these dread raiders now? For all we know they died in the wilderness long ago."

"It is our own strong hands that fill the granaries and warehouses of the city. Why then do we not enjoy more of the fruits of our labor?"

"Ah, but you are yet young. You do not remember the old days, scratching out a meager subsistence in the hills. Today we have canals and waterwheels to ease the work along; we feed more people with less land and less work than ever before."

"Feed them for what? So that they may live a life of luxury, surrounded by stone walls and armed guards? Such was the way of the old empires, that crumbled under the weight of their sins. Yet even now we are repeating their same mistakes."

Noticing the growing discontent, Amnarchis realizes something must be done. In the libraries and workshops swords are literally beaten into plowshares as he calls for scholars to pursue ways to cultivate better living. Meanwhile Ramades, now a diehard convert to the ways of magical machines, puts the products of the new gold mine back into use for animated pumps, pulleys, and other mining equipment in the hopes of supplying even more gold for the city's growing needs.